Khao San Road Bangkok'A Backpackers Retreat'

Khao San
Road (or Thanon Khao San in Thai) is located within the Banglamphu district of Bangkok in central Thailand. This famous road has been a tourist mecca for budget minded foreign tourists and backpackers for well over 30 years and the trend is continuing. Due to the popularity of this area, the 1 kilometre stretch of road has been named by some as the
backpacker's travel hub of southeast Asia.

BACKGROUND

This area which is located approximately 1 kilometre north of the Grand Palace
has changed
significantly since it's early days as a trading post for local farmers
wishing to sell their Khaosan ( i.e. raw rice). The name of this
rice trade was eventually applied to road where this activity
occurred.

These
days though, Khao San Road is much better known for it's easy lifestyle and backpacker lodgings which began back in 1982 with its first commercial hotel which was called Bonny. As the area grew in popularity so did the number of lodgings and tourists then began to flock here from all corners of the globe.

Now this area is just as well known or its clubbing
environment, as the precinct has a number of neon lit bars and clubs including
the Macaroni and Lava. This area has become an important place for
tourists to meet while sharing dinner and a drink.

In fact, at night Khao San Road's version of Bangkok nightlife comes to life as evidenced by the bright lights and loud music which appear to dominate this one kilometre stretch of road. Raunchy bars
with dancing girls and clubs playing the latest dance music are dotted right along this precinct.

In addition to the bars and clubs, there are a number of stalls along the road where vendors sell all the usual tourist stuff such as DVDs, jewelery and T-shirts.

SHOPS AND SERVICES

There
is also an assortment of other services including massage shops,
convenient stores including 7-Eleven, internet cafes,
travel agents, budget hotels and hostels, tattoo shops, food
stalls, restaurants and night markets which are all crammed into this
thriving little precinct. You will also ind Burger King and McDonald's
restaurants here.

GETTING THERE

If you are traveling on the BTS Skytrain on the Silom line exit at
Saphan Taksin Station (which is the last stop before the Chao Phraya
River).

From the the Sathorn Pier (Central) you will then need to take the express boat to the Phra
Arthit Pier. Khaosan Road is only a short walk from here so just follow
the other tourists if you don't have a street map.